Webcasts

Blogs

Go Deeper

PERSPECTIVES

Harry Potter: The Hero for Modern
Witchcraft

By Jack M. Roper

CBN.com -
Periodically in our society, mystical heroes penetrate our culture.
Harry Potter, an orphaned witch, is one such hero who has captured the
innocent heart of many children. When such a hero uses evil as a problem
solving tool, we need to be warned. This article is one of those warnings.

The media has played an important role in the proliferation
of the pagan witch child acceptance in America and abroad. The
Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, now 4 books, has been
given outstanding reviews in TIME magazine (front cover
story September 20, 1999), Newsweek (front cover July
17, 2000), New York Times Bestseller List for many
weeks, No.1 USA Today Bestseller List, Winner of the
National Book Award (United Kingdom), Warner Brothers film to
be, etc. It is the fastest selling children book series in U.S.
history. The first four books sold around 40 million and is
now in multiple languages, including Chinese.

As a cult researcher for many years, I have seen contemporary
witchcraft packaged in many seductive forms, and Harry Potter
is the best. Potter makes spiritualism and witchcraft look wonderful.
Just as the popular movie The Sixth Sense communicated
with the dead, so does Potter. Witches (Wiccans) have found
an effective social tool for children to accept witchcraft as
a normal non-evil religion. The invited witch who comes to an
elementary school to talk to kids has a literary spring board
into a child’s heart. Over time the child can become adapted
to the dark world of witchcraft and not even know that it is
dangerous. What if the Potter fan is dropped off at a Barnes
& Noble Bookstore to check out the latest Potter display?
Will the child then run over to the witchcraft section among
other books to see what Potter is really talking about? Potter
repeatedly discusses various witchcraft and magical books in
his series such as the History of Magic. The magic we are discussing
here is not sleight of hand but occult magic.

Shall we ban magical evil from the young and innocent? Shall
we desensitize our children because they have found a “good
book” to read? The Harry Potter books give the acceptance
that good witchcraft is good and that we should use good magic
to fight black magic. The difference between good magic and
black magic is that the intent is different but the source of
power is the same. That flip of the coin power is evil on both
sides.

Why do we allow our children to wear Potter’s evil lightning-bolt
tattoo on their forehead as pictured in TIME magazine.
The lightning-bolt in the Potter’s series represents “a
powerful evil curse." Over 650,000 lightning-bolt tattoos were
sent to U.S. bookstores last year. This symbol is of the wicked
Voldemort. It is interesting also to note that the lightning
illustration is found also in the Book of Luke chapter 10:18
- symbolic of Satan.

Question: Does evil play an important role in this childrens’
series?

One of the salient figures in the Harry Potter occult adventure
is the wizard Voldemort. The scholarly book, Exploring Harry
Potter, by Elizabeth D. Schafer ( ISBN: 0-933833-57-1)
gives us some insights. Dr. Schafer has her Ph.D. in the History
of Science and Technology from Auburn University. Schafer is
a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and
Illustrators and the Children’s Literature Association.

Dr. Schafer states:

Rowling confirms that Lord Voldemort’s powers
are strengthening and that more characters will die to emphasize
the dastardly nature of evil. She says that only after careful
consideration did she decide to include so many deaths to accentuate
the deepening conflict between good and evil forces and the
resulting victimization of innocents... As the books’
dark tones intensify, there will probably be more anti-Potter
attempts to ban the books (page 426).

Do we protect our children from such violence, or will they
end up in the Potter’s Field?

Why does J.K.Rowling use witchcraft in this seven-to-be book
series? Because it sells well today in our society? Such TV
programs as Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Buffy
the Vampire Slayer have preconditioned our children and
even some adults to accept Harry Potter’s powers as an
acceptable norm. Dr. Schafer writes, “The evils presented
in the Harry Potter series parallel modern horrors... The college
town of Iowa City, Iowa, has enforced restrictions on children
dressing as witches or devils or wearing clothing with those
images at school” (p 207).

Dr. Schafer’s book is secular in its reasoning. The strength
of her book is in its deconstructing the Potter series, which
J.K. Rowling constructed. Schafer’s book does not present
a Christian view point but a worldly view. She states, “Modern
witches proclaim to practice pagan rituals of nature worship...
Known as ‘Wicca’ this witchcraft is not Satanic."
Witchcraft (Wicca) is not satanism, but its powers are satanic
in its spiritual nature. Wicca is not from the true God. The
Bible warns about witchcraft in Deuteronomy chapter 18. Dr.
Schafer also recommends various books that strongly promote
magic and witchcraft in Section IV of her book. Stephen King,
the Horror writer, endorsed her book jacket: “Elizabeth
Schafer’s book will help enrich the Harry Potter experience,
and that is a very good thing."

Examining Harry Potter

The following is a brief overview of some of the contents and
key words in the present Potter series of Book 1 and 2. Books
3 and 4 will be discussed in Part 2 of this article. Page numbers
are given to examine the contents and context.

Note: As you assess the witchcraft terminology or vocabulary,
there are two sources to consider:

Dictionary of Mysticism and the Occult by Nevill
Drury. Harper-Collins (ISBN:: 0-06-062094-3). Drury is an
occultist. No pictures. Paperback , 281 pages.1985

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone --
Book 1

Potter is an 11-year-old orphan boy who was taken in by a muggle
(non witch) family. In this book, Potter eventually attends
the fall, 1991 Hogwart's boarding school of witchcraft where
Harry encounters the evil wizard Voldemort.

Harry’s real parents (witches) were killed by Voldemort
around the time that Harry was 1 years old. A lightning-bolt
symbol was left on Harry’s forehead by Voldemort at the
time Harry’s parents died.

Bold comments after the quotes are by the author of this Potter
exposé.

Quotes:

“He’ll be famous -- a legend -- I wouldn’t
be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter day in the future
-- there will be books written about Harry -- every child in
our world will know his name!”(page 13).

“The only thing Harry liked about his own appearance
was a thin scar on his forehead that was shaped like a bolt
of lightning” (page 20).

“Harry, yer a wizard” (page 50).

“A Muggle’, said Hagrid, it’s what we call
non-magic folk like them. An’ it’s your bad luck
you grew up in a family o’ the biggest Muggles I ever
laid eyes on” (page 53).

“That was no ordinary cut. That’s what yeh get
when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh...” (This refers
to the lightning-bolt on Potter’s head) (page 55).

“But what does a Ministry of Magic do? Well, their main
job is to keep it from the Muggles [non-witchcraft folks] that
there’s still witches an’ wizards up an’ down
the country” (page 65).

“All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells ... A History of Magic ... Magical
Theory ... A Beginners’ Guide To Transfiguration ... Magical
Drafts and Potions” (curriculum books) (page 66).

“I don’t know how the Muggles manage without magic”
(Muggles don’t need occultic magick to live -- there
is someone greater) (page 67).

“You’ll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose?
I’ve g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires, m-myself.
He looked terrified at the very thought” (page 70).

“The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at
Harry-unicorn blood was dripping down its front. It got to its
feet and came swiftly toward Harry --he couldn’t move
for fear.Then a pain like he’d never felt before pierced
his head; it was as though his scar were on fire... The pain
in Harry’s head was so bad he fell to his knees. It took
a minute or two to pass” (page 256).

“Their very last exam was History of Magic” (This
book is no magical solution-try God!) (page 263).

“Harry-you’re a great wizard, you know” (page
287).

“There is no good and evil, there is only power, and
those too weak to seek it...” (Professor Quirrell Look
at the world -no evil ? Look at Potter) (page 291).

“...to the well organized mind, death is but the next
great adventure” (heaven is the greatest adventure
-- try Jesus -- He is better than Potter) (page 302).

Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets-- Book 2

“The Dursleys were what wizards called Muggles (not a
drop of magical blood in their veins), and as far as they were
concerned, having a wizard in the family was a matter of deepest
shame” (pages 3-4).

Do you know what the Scriptures say about witchcraft? (Deuteronomy
chapter 18:9-12.) Potter fits the bill.

“The wizard family Dobby serves, sir... Dobby is a house
elf-bound to serve one house and one family forever’(page
14).

The Dictionary of Mysticism and the Occult by Drury
has this to say : Elves were spirit-creatures that were hidden
from God’s sight because they were unclean. The Bible
calls them demons in Mark chap. 1:26-27. Can we call these elves
“dinky demons”?

“We would also ask you to remember that any magical activity
that risks notice by members of the non-magical community(Muggles)
is a serious offense under section 13 of the International Confederation
of Warlocks Statute of Secrecy” (page 21).

Drury’s Dictionary has defined warlock as, “The
male counterpart of a female witch. The term is also used to
describe a sorcerer who is skilled in summoning supernatural
evil forces and practicing black magic”.

“House-elves have got powerful magic of their own, but
they can’t usually use it without their master’s
permission” (elves as “dinky demons” who
have power?) (page 28).

“Yeah, Dad’s crazy about everything to do with
Muggles; our shed’s full of Muggle stuff. He takes it
apart, puts spells on it, and puts it back together again. If
he raided our house he’d have to put himself under arrest”
(page 31).

In George Mather’s Dictionary , a spell is defined
as “a spoken word, charm, or incantation that harnesses
magical power. Spells may be cast on another person or may invoke
power for selfish use on the part of a sorcerer”. Now
we start to see where Potter series is going for his readers.
It gets much worse.

“Second-year Students will Require: The Standard Book
of Spells, Grade 2...Travel with Trolls... Voyages with Vampires...Wanderings
with Werewolves” (page 43-44).

Drury discusses these spirit beings. “Trolls took
two forms -- they were either giants or dwarfs -- and they were
regarded by country folks with extreme caution.”

“Harry took a pinch of Floo powder and walked to the
edge of the fire. He took a deep breath, scattered the powder
into the flames, and stepped forward; the fire felt like a warm
breeze; he opened his mouth and immediately swallowed a lot
of hot ash” (page 48). (Does this give his fans ideas?)

“A glass case nearby held a withered hand on a cushion,
a blood stained pack of cards, and a staring glass eye. Evil-looked
masks stared down from the wall, an assortment of human bones
lay upon the counter, and rusty, spiked instruments hung from
the ceiling” (page 49).

Dr. Schafer was right about the horror element.

“Draco paused to examine a long coil of hangman’s
rope and to read, smirking, the card propped on a magnificent
necklace of opals, Caution: Do Not Touch.Cursed-Has Claimed
the Lives of Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date (page 52).

“Harry felt a hot surge of anger.-and as you see, certain
of these poisons might make it appear-” (page 51).

“For a few horrible seconds he had feared that the hat
was going to put him in Slytherin, the house that turned out
more Dark witches and wizards than any other-” (page 77).

“We’ll be repotting Mandrakes today. Now who can
tell me the properties of the Mandrake”? (page 91-92).
Mandrake causes hallucination and is poisonous.

“Of course , Mother was slightly disappointed, but since
made her read Lockhart’s books I think she’s begun
to see how useful it’ll be to have a fully trained wizard
in the family...” ( page 94).

“And a few of you need to read Wanderings with Werewolves
more carefully-I clearly state in chapter twelve that my ideal
birthday gift would be harmony between all magic and non-magic
people-” ( page 100).

“Alicia shrieked, ‘How dare you!’,and Ron
plunged his hand into his robes, pulled out his wand, yelling,
‘You’ll pay for that one, Malfoy!” and pointed
it [wand] furiously under Flint’s arm at Malfoy’s
face” (page 112).

“Mrs. Norris, the caretaker’s cat, was hanging
by her tail from the torch bracket”. She was stiff as
a board, her eyes wide and staring” (page 139).

“No, said Ron, without hesitation. Hearing voices no
one else can hear isn’t a good sign, even in the wizarding
world’ (page 145). Harry is hearing voices?

“For a few years, the founders worked in harmony together,
seeking out youngsters who showed signs of magic and bringing
them to the castle to be educated” (page 150). This
is a good approach for your kid to become a full pledged Pagan
witch.

“He believed that magical learning should be kept within
all-magic families. He disliked taking students of Muggle parentage,
believing them to be untrustworthy” (page 150). This
is not sleight of hand magic but hard core witchcraft.

“Sir-what exactly do you mean by the ‘horror within’
the Chamber?” ( page 151).

“Peeves upset me so much I came in here and tried to
kill myself. Then, of course, I remembered that I’m-that
I’m-” “Already dead, said Ron helpfully”.
( page 156).

“Regrowing bones is a nasty business” (page 174).

“The holidays would be the perfect time to use the Polyjuice
Potion and try to worm a confession out of him” (page
185).

“ I think I’d better do the actual stealing”
(page 186).

“Potions lessons took place in one large dungeon...Twenty
cauldrons stood steaming between the wooden desks, on which
stood brass scales and jars of ingredients” (page 186).

“Then they raised their wands like swords in front of
them” (page 190).

“I’m a what? said Harry. ‘A Parselmouth!’
said Ron. ‘You can talk to snakes!” (page 195).
I am trying to remember the last time someone talked to a
snake.The Garden of Eden. Guess what that snake’s name
was!

“That’s why the symbol of Slytherin House is a
serpent” (page 196). An evil theme is also slithering
through the Potter series.

“It’s not possible to live with the Dursleys and
not hate them, said Harry" (page 200). Where is Harry’s
love for the people (Muggles) who took him in?

“I’m sure I’ve done everything right, said
Hermione, nervously rereading the splotched page of Moste Potente
Potions. It looks like the book says it should...once we’ve
drunk it, we’ll have exactly an hour before we change
back into ourselves” ( page 215).

I hope no Potter fans start making their own potions thinking
they will magically change. There are poisons out there. Witches
in the past were known for their potions and poisons. See Man,
Myth and Magic series. Volume 16.

“Yeah... said Malfoy. Luckily, they didn’t find
much. Father’s got some very valuable Dark Arts stuff.
But luckily, we’ve got our own secret chamber under the
drawing-room floor”. Ho! said Ron” ( page 224).
Anything to do with Black magic?

“You’d be surprised, said Ron, who was looking
apprehensively at the book. Some of the books the Ministry’s
confiscated-Dad’s told me-there was one that burned your
eyes out” (page 230).

“Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip
up a Love Potion!” (page 236).

“I wish he was mine, he’s really divine, The hero
who conquered the Dark Lord”. This was a singing valentine
for Harry” ( page 238). Hero worship?

“It’s never too early to think about the future,
so I’d recommend Divination” ( page 252).

“Kill this time...let me rip...tear... He shouted aloud
and Ron and Hermione both jumped away from him in alarm. The
voice said Harry...I just heard it again-didn’t you?”
(page 254).

The Scripture says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that
in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed
to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1).
Will the child replace his or her Bible for Harry Potter? This
is where the Potter’s Field comes in for his followers.

About CBN

CBN is a global ministry committed to preparing the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ through mass media. Using television and the Internet, CBN is proclaiming the Good News in 147 countries and territories, with programs and content in 62 languages.